What is the best made "Sport Utility Trailer" (Toy Hauler)?

[airmoore]

I have been looking at fifth wheel trailers for some time now. As noted on another thread, my wife and I have been considering the Wilcat, by Forest River. (the bunkhouse model).



After more thought on our needs, we are also looking at fifth wheels that can haul your "toys" also. We have a couple of 4 wheelers that we were going to be towing behind the trailer. If I were to design the perfect 5er for our needs, it would go like this:



Fifth wheel with a front bedroom and bath



mid range quality such as the Wildcat, with things such as large holding tanks (heated and protected), fiberglass/gel exterior, quaility fabrics and construction throughout



The rear room (hauling area where the large tailgate/ramp is) would have pull down beds or bunks for my two boys to use as their room when our 4 wheelers are not loaded. I have seen several where the rear room when unloaded appears to be "wasted space".



at least one slide out in the living room area to create much needed space



On board generator and fuel tank with fueling station



What experience/knowledge do any of you have pertaining to any types of fifth wheels that meet these requirements? Any comments on manufactors, likes or dislikes of these types of RVs, etc. would be greatly appreciated, Thanks



Clint

 

[46mech]

airmoore,



I have the Thor Wanderer Wagon in a TT, but they do make it in a 5'er. Mine's a 2000 and so far I like the construction. It doesn't have a separate room for the toys like some others do, but that's how we wanted it..... for the open floorplan. It does have a large 100 gal freshwater tank, and blackwater/graywater tanks are both 40 gals.

The only one that I know of that has a fueling station is the Weekend Warrior. I've been to their website some time ago and I think they're out of San Diego, CA. I called them to see if they have dealers around the East Coast and they did have one up in PA, so maybe they have one close to you too.

If you haven't been there yet, you might try going to the Good Sam site to get some input too. Hope this helps.

 

[Shooter]

While in Phoenix this week I saw a couple of PATIO HAULER 5er's that were prety impressive. The one next to me had His and Her's Harley's, the rear doors open to the side with a pull out ramp. A couple of weeks ago while at a local dealer getting a new spair cover they had a new 5ver that had a seperate room at rear for toys/ with bunks that fold up to the side walls. the front was a regular 5th wheel, Kitch, dinett sleeper sofa. full bath w/ tub and bed over pin and well constucted, not like a Jayco or Wilderness. I do not remember what brand it was but will be going back to have a closer look and price it out this weekend. I have seen many with queen beds that are stored above the cargo area and lower to about 5 feet and use a ladder to sleep above the toys or lower to about 18" when toys are not in doors.



As for the full sub zero artic package I really have my doubts.

 

[DarrellB]

Seen a really nice one

I saw it at the RV show last month and was really impressed with the overall fit and finish of this model. It isn't a 5ver but is relaly nice. It has a door that devides the cargo area and is a real low profile design with a really heavy looking frame to support the added wait of your toys. I'm also going to buy a toy hauler the next time a buy a new TT, I have to 4wheeler and nead a way to get them both to the trails and have a place to stay warm and dry. I wont list all the specs I'll just let you look and se for yourself.



www.keystone-elkhart.comclick on the Honet brand and scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the modle I'm talking about. Not a lot of room but I'm going to be riding not sitting in my camper. Oo.



This will be my next camper I just hope they have a slideout buy the time I'm ready to buy. Oo.



Happy trails

Big D

 

[Turbo Thom]

Tahoe makes a nice one , but then Wanderer and Tahoe are the same company, Thor of California. I have a Wanderer fifth wheel, just a 31 ft. No toy area but I love it. Wood frameing and strong. Well built. Also, my 3500 just has fun with it on the road. Like a lot other folks, I wish it came with larger tires.



. . Preston. .

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by 46mech

I have the Thor Wanderer Wagon in a TT, but they do make it in a 5'er. Mine's a 2000 and so far I like the construction. It doesn't have a separate room for the toys like some others do, but that's how we wanted it..... for the open floorplan. It does have a large 100 gal freshwater tank, and blackwater/graywater tanks are both 40 gals.

46mech, sounds like you and I have the same trailer. Is yours a #257TB? I've been living in mine full time for the last two years, but I just bought a house, so I will probably be selling it soon. It's held up great, except for the fridge, which was recalled by Norcold. My only complaints are that that bed isn't very comfortable (just thin foam rubber, which could be replaced, but I'm not going to bother, now) and this trailer is not very well winterized. It would be perfect for use in the south, but I wouldn't recommend it for snowmobilers in the north. It would use a lot of propane because the heater would be on all the time.

If I was to buy another one, I'd get a a 5th wheel, not only because they tow better, but because they have a "real" bed in them, and I'd order it with whatever winterization/"arctic" package the manufacturer offers.

Andy

 

[klenger]

Arctic Fox has a couple of TT toy haulers , but no 5th wheel haulers that I can see on their web site. Might be worth a look.

 

[Hostetter]

Clint, I have been looking at sut. the best I found was called ALL American by Forest River. They have a 5ther that is awesome dont have specs in frt. of me. Its a 4 season has honda gen 36ft i beleive Idont know about pump station has a slide out for kitchen

clint also check out atvpickupcaddy.com this company puts 2 4 wheelers on top of your pickup bed. I have called them and considering going this way and going with pull behind and spend alot less money on a camper. let me know what you deside on I am still trying to do what is best. Kurt

 

[46mech]

Andy,



I have the 217TB and I too would like the fifth-wheel model for the same reasons as you. I'm not aware of the recall on the refrig, what models did the recall include?

 

[NVR FNSH]

Patio Hauler by Kit Mfg IMO. I recently purchased a '00 351F - sounds like what you're looking for. The only downside is it's 36 ft long. With a slide-out a 32ft trailer would be about perfect.



Do a search on my user name and you'll come up with a bunch of info on this subject.





Brian

 

[Briar Hopper]

Alfa makes a great toy hauler in 5th wheel models, as well as Play-Mor. I've seen both brands on dealer lots in Indiana.

The All-American from Forest River is one of the best-built ones, nice, but over-priced IMO for what you get. The Alfa is better.

There are companies in Indiana just now starting to convert the front half of race car trailers(both tag-alongs and 5th wheels) into living quarters. I'll post some links on here later if I can find them.

www.walnutridgerv.com is the dealer I bought my Salem by Forest River from, and I looked at the All-Americans while I was there.

 

[NVR FNSH]

the Alfa's are very nice BUT they can be very heavy. I'm not sure if Alfa makes a true patio version w/SO or if they make open floor plans only.



Race car trailers w/living quarters are nice but the ones I priced were incrediably expensive. I priced a ~30ft Featherlite that was gonna run ~$55k - a bit rich for my blood.



Brian

 

[Briar Hopper]

The "race car" trailers I've seen, one on a dealer lot in Florida, and the rest in Indiana, are 28' long, made by U. S. Cargo, and have a retail price of $19,800, not too bad. And they are built as good as Featherlite, IMO. They are coming out with a fifth wheel version this month.

You're right about the Alfa, Brian, it's a little heavy, but man, it's really nice.

Indiana just simply cannot be beat as a good place to shop for trailers of any kind. It's a fantastic state, full of fantastic toys, and horsepower vendors/race car manufacturers/speed shops in EVERY town... .

I think, knowing what I know now, if I lived in California, or Texas, or Washington, or anyplace far away, and wanted a travel trailer, I'd buy a plane ticket to Indianapolis, and shop for a deal.....

 

[NVR FNSH]

Trust me, I seriously considered making a trip to Indiana. My parents bought their Carraige 5th wheel in Indiana and my dad suggested I make the trip. Work always seemed to get in the way.....



Was that race car trailer for $19k already converted w/living quarters? When I looked at race car trailers the conversion price is what killed the idea.



Brian

 

[Briar Hopper]

Yes, Brian, that price includes the conversion. I believe they'll do the conversion for $4500 on any trailer you bring them. Only thing I don't like about it is that it has a "wet bath" , meaning it's like the slide-in camper bathrooms where the toilet is inside the shower. Clever way to save space, but the trailer is big enough that they don't need to ! I'm hoping their new gooseneck trailer conversion has a better bathroom .

Other than that, it has a full kitchen, dinette, and fold down couch. And a sturdy wall between the cargo area and living quarters.

 

[Shooter]

Patio Hauler by KIT

Gator-bak by keystone

Sportster by K-Z, inc... www.kz-rv.com

The 35' sportster is real nice.

The 32' Gator is lower quality than the Sportster but better than some of Keystones other lines of sut's.

The 40' Patio hauler is tops !! but youl need a new Peterbuilt w/ 600 hp Cummins to pull it.

 

[airmoore]

I appreciate all of the great help and feedback all of you have given me on this thread and have been doing extensive research on the web of several of the models you have recommended. I do have a few comments and questions:



The Patio Hauler by KIT (now part of their line of rvs known as Extreme) appears to be very impressive and well liked. They make several floor plans with very creative options such as a pop out on both sides of the garage area to allow for more sleeping room. It would be nice to order one of their fifth wheel models with a slideout, and the double pop outs on the garage area along with a pull down bed in the garage. I do not know if you could get that combination, but it would go a long way towards sleeping all of the kids that we have with us when we camp... Brian, how long have you had your 00'351F and are you having any problems with it?



The Sportster, by KZ, is also very impressive. It also has several floor plan choices. Does anyone know the size of the tanks (especially grey) that come on these units?



The Alfa Toyhouse appears to be incredibly well built and designed, but you pay a HEAVY price for that and it is very heavy as you guys pointed out.



I am going to the Houston RV show on the 13th, hopefully some of these units will be represented there. If any of you have any more comments or suggestions, I would really appreciate it, you all have been a great help...

Clint

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by 46mech

Andy,



I have the 217TB and I too would like the fifth-wheel model for the same reasons as you. I'm not aware of the recall on the refrig, what models did the recall include?

Sorry for the late reply, 46Mech, I didn't see your question until tonight. I dug through my paperwork, and I couldn't find the recall letter telling which models were recalled. My fridge crapped out in July of 2000 (all the coolant leaked out) and I took it to an RV service place to get it fixed. They're the ones who told me about the recall. They had to replace the cooling unit. It didn't cost me anything to get it fixed. I got the recall notice in the mail after I got the thing fixed. My fridge is a Norcold model N621, and my trailer is a year 2000, I bought it in the fall of '99.

Andy